Amy Elliott

Must-Read Steps to Planning an Amazing Bridal Shower

bridal shower

• Three (or More) Months Before

• Talk to the bride. Does she want all women or coed? Afternoon tea or a Saturday night soiree? Does she want a particular bridal shower theme, style or color? Does she want to gather at a fun restaurant, quaint tea salon, her parents\' patio, a spa or your apartment? While most of the bridal shower details and decisions will be up to you, make sure you plan according to her input.

• Set the date—shoot for a month or two before the wedding. If certain bridesmaids and important family and friends can\'t convene until a few days before, hold off until then.

• If the bridal shower will take place at a tea salon, private dining room, restaurant or nightclub, make the reservations as soon as possible.

• Create the guest list for the bridal shower. And take note: Anyone you invite to the shower must also be invited to the wedding.

• Two Months Before

• Send a save-the-date email or call important guests to see if there might be any scheduling conflicts.

• As a courtesy, call any guests who\'ll have to travel some distance to attend—they\'ll appreciate the advance notice.

• Confer with the bridesmaids to establish a budget.

• Purchase bridal shower invitations or materials to make them.

• Hold a brainstorming session to finalize decisions about table linens, flowers, menu, decorations, favors, music and activities.

• Order special menu items through the bakery or caterer, and rent linens and other equipment from a rental company, if necessary.

• Compile addresses for the guest list.

• Make a detailed to-do list and assign tasks.

• One Month Before

• Assemble and address invitations. Don\'t forget to include information about the couple\'s registries. And, if it\'s a theme party, make sure to provide proper gift-giving instructions. 

• Mail invitations.

• Shop for decorations, paper goods and other party props.

• Purchase favors.

• If guests have offered to bring desserts and other treats, email or call to confirm what they plan to bring.

• Two (or More) Weeks Before

• Place flower order.

• Buy your shower gift for the bride.

• Make a shopping list for the food and drinks. Buy any hard-to-find ingredients.

• Purchase spirits, if you\'re having cocktails.

• Pick up any baskets, CDs, cake stands, audio equipment or serving ware that friends or neighbors have offered to lend.

• One Week Before

• Confirm reservations.

• Confirm orders and delivery times.

• Confirm RSVPs.

• Assemble and gift wrap favors.

• Buy groceries.

• Create a mental floor plan to facilitate decorating and setting up.

• Organize shower games and activities.

• One Day Before

• Prepare any menu items that can be made in advance (or just do prep work).

• Receive and set up equipment, assemble decorations and favors, and set table(s).

• Touch base with the bridesmaids—confirm who\'s bringing what and ask them to arrive early to help.

• Run any last-minute errands.